14 Blast. On One, notes from the Rogue

Snow on the beach.  Add an A-Frame.  Magical.  Malibus 8th street, 1/3/2014

   Some pretty incredible shootouts during the Bowl Games this season.  The Chick-Fil-A Bowl- Texas A&M/Duke, Gator Bowl- Clemson/Ohio State, BBVA Compass Bowl- Vanderbilt/Houston.  The f#%king BCS Championship- Florida State/Auburn. Damn it son!  Good football, gotta say.

Don't look it, but that tundra's cooooold! 30th St., 1/4.

  So, in the spirit of said hard-ass season, the weather in both the Mid-West and Right Coast runs a 2014 Blast with a "Polar Vortex" bringing what we consider a fair snow-fall (4-5 inches) to the Shore area.  Funny thing. My girl and I have split the Christmas/New Year between Chicago and the Eastern Shore.  Below freezing.  No escaping.  Turn on the space heater.  'Tis the season. We find the Stoke, no matter.

Backyard blanket.  1/3

Nice start to the New Year...dinner surrounded by beer and wine. OCMD 1/5

   So I've entered into the New Year with a quad of cold weather brews quaffed and thus jotted down some thoughts...

   Before leaving the Aurora/Naperville area, Lisa and I met some friends over to Solemn Oath Brewery.  Combat Marshmallow.  How do you like that for a name?  A full bodied, black Double Stout that sends you ducking for cover with 76 IBUs worth of piney hops.  And at 8%, it won't take too many to knock a man down.  Excellent lacing, thick tan one finger head. SOB is on top of its game with tastes of dark chocolate and coffee...liked the mix.  Rated this an A+.


   Lost Coast has a smooth Winter Brown Ale called, aptly, Winterbraun. Pours a reddish brown with a thin beige head.  The lacing dissapates quickly.  Smooth light spicy taste with hints of fruit and chocolate.  At 8% this'll warm ya.  The 35 IBUs keep it tame enough for the less hoppy crowd.  Fuller than a Brown.  Not really Stoutish or Porterish. Liked the label though.  Rated it a B-.

   Ommegang.  Still trying to figure this artsy, fartsy brewery out.  Take The Black Stout.  A tribute to the HBO special Game Of Thrones.  Never seen it (HEY! don't give me $hit here).  7% ABV.  IBUs not listed although estimated at near 100...I didn't think so.  Had a burnt charcoal taste in the background.  I think I saw "earthy" as a descriptive.  Also aroma of licorice.  The finish was more yeast than pine as hops usually go.  This one just didn't sit well with me.  As a seasonal offering with a lot of hype, maybe I was expecting more.  Poured a deep shimmering black with a fluffy, light brown, two finger head.  Rated it a C-.

  Finally, a warmer that would put an end to any Winter deep freeze.  Michigan's New Holland Brewing dispells any cold weather with Dragon's Milk.  A Bourbon barrel aged Imperial Stout packing at 10% ABV. I could smell the bourbon in this baby.  Laced with vanilla, roasted toffee, and a hint of coffee. Nice carbonation and very creamy finish. Smooth with a very light bitter bite (31 IBUs). Two of these and I'm skimming down slow-motion A-Frames in La La Land.  Only one folks.  Rated it an A.

"I wish you a Merry Christmas

 and a Happy New Year, with 

your pockets full of money, and

your cellar full of beer."

-Old English Carol